How are we 6 weeks into 2020? How did Jacob turn 5 this week?!? How is it Thursday again?!!
The last week has been super busy for us. We bought a brand new truck, officially started home renovations and celebrated Jacob’s birthday!
I really can’t wrap my head around the fact he is already five!
This week I am thankful for the opportunity to share his birthday with friends and family!! We’ve got a whole Curious George themed party ready to go!!!
Want to know the one question that can instantly make me cringe? The one question that makes me silently rage and question the question askers logic, and boundaries? The one question that makes me want to walk away from the conversation…
“When are you having baby number two?”
Or really any question in that line of question war fare! If you’re a Mom of one you know the questions I’m referring to!
“Ready to do it all again?”
“Aww you’re not going to make him be an only child are you?”
“Are you going to try for a girl?”
Sometimes they aren’t questions at all. Sometimes they are disguised as (not) clever little quips and remarks!
“Time for a playmate for Jacob”
“You could fit another car seat in there no problem!”
“You aren’t getting any younger!”
“Being an only child isn’t fair”
First off let me say this… if you ask these questions to anyone STOP IT! These questions are exhausting. Having to explain a personal situation or choice is not fun! Having to discuss infertility,loss.personal health issues because someone thinks it’s their right to know your family dynamics is not ok!!
I can’t tell you how many times in the last five years I’ve been asked these questions. In fact the first time I got asked about baby number two was while baby number one was still baking in my uterus!
People are demanding and nosey! Complete strangers seem to worry about my family make up like it somehow affects their wellbeing. This is mind boggling for me. In what world does Jacob being an only child affect anyone but him, Kevin and myself. I guess maybe it could be stretched to say grandparents but both sets of those aren’t suffering in the number department!
Sometimes it takes unexplainable effort to even personally accept that baby number two is never going to happen. Sometimes it takes time. Sometimes it takes a full fledged grieving process to even begin to come to terms with being a Mom to only one baby for whatever the reason is. Sometimes you might morn the loss of a chance gone by or a chance taken away one New Year’s Eve night. And you know what, that’s ok! Coming to terms with things in your own time is your business and you know what no one needs when they are trying to mourn, grieve, cope, celebrate, live??? “Karen” from accounting asking when you’re going to get on having baby number two!
Just don’t! Don’t be the person who thinks they are entitled to someone else’s reproductive life story.
My Thankful thoughts tonight are simple. I’m Thankful my little family is all together under the same roof, warm, safe.
The weather the last few days is usually the type of weather that is panic inducing and stressful for me. As a nurse taking a snow day is often met with employer pushback and irritation. I mean I totally understand why, any healthcare role is a vital role but this week because I’m off work it was pleasant and easy. I know that I’m extremely fortunate to be laying in a warm bed with my child snuggled up to one side and my dog snuggled up to the other. While the faint sounds of the tv down the hall sneak in from whatever show my husband is watching as he enjoys some peaceful quiet time to himself.
With the recognition and realization of how lucky we are I’ve also thought a lot about what it would be like to be out there in this weather with no place to go. The only word I can come up with is terrifying. Terrifying and cold.
Over the holidays there was so many opportunities to giveback, to donate, lend a hand. Now that many of us are settled back in to the day to day of mid January it’s easy to overlook those fundraisers or food drives. So tonight I’m asking you to join us and take a few minutes this weekend and take a peek through your closets or storage, find those winter jackets, boots, unneeded blankets and drop them off at your local shelter. This winter is far from over and you never know, you might be saving a life. ❤️
Easy my ass! I’ve been laying here awake since 5:30 am (it’s now 7:18am) and I’m yet to get up because I don’t want to wake up Jacob! We can’t have another early morning for him because early mornings lead to ridiculously cranky afternoon and meltdown evenings! So for now I lay here and be thankful for my phone and the internet! 
The past few days have been tough because Jacob and I have both had a cold. It never fails that I get afflicted with sickness in early September. I took Friday off work and spent the day in my pj’s. It was a much needed day of rest. Saturday was much the same but we did venture to get groceries and got some fresh air out on our patio briefly. 
I feel like this time of year is my planning time. Planning the rest of the year! Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, etc. I love Fall. The colours, the crisp leaves, the leggings, hoodies, boots! The pumpkins, the food! 
Speaking of food! Jacob and I baked this lovely banana bread yesterday morning. The recipe can be found HERE. He absolutely loves baking! He asks every weekend if we can bake! He loves to share his (our) creations. Yesterday he took half the banana bread to Grandma and Grandpa and shared the rest with his cousins. He pretty much melts my heart daily. 
Well my friends I’m going to be brave and attempt to sneak out of bed (only because I really have to pee). Stick around this week as I’m planning on sharing/reviewing some new Epicure products as well hopefully sharing a post on the CSA box we’ve been getting all summer!
I was asked to create a treat for our Epicure team meeting tonight using this months customer special, Epicure’s delicious Peppermint matcha hot chocolate!! This is what I created…
These brownies are chocolatey, chewy, and have a hint of mint!! I always feel like St. Patrick’s day is the perfect time for mint/chocolate treats! I’m sure Leprechauns love mint! Anyways, I made these brownies in Epicure’s Perfect petites pan but you could do them in a traditional pan if you don’t have the Perfect petites. If you ask me everyone should get the Perfect petites pan because it’s perfect for making adorable mini treats!!! On to the recipe!
Ingredients
Method
Life With The McGavins 